WVTK Local & State News – August 11, 2017

Merchants Row is opening a day early. Kubricky reopened Merchants Row to motorists and pedestrians this afternoon. Just as a heads up, there is some changes to the traffic pattern. The most significant change is that Merchants Row is now one way only, up the hill toward Court Square and South Pleasant Street. Also, the Battell Block parking lot reopened today to deliveries and to those who live and work there.

Sidewalk construction begins Monday at the south end of South Pleasant Street. And due to the construction, the ACTR Bus Stop is being moved to the north end of the street, adjacent to the Soldiers Monument and Town Hall Theater. This will be a two week project that is scheduled to over by August 24th. At that point the bus stop will be moved back to its regular location in front of the former Coles Flowers location.

New York state is making more changes to its medical marijuana program. Health officials announced new regulations Thursday that will permit new forms of the drug, including chewable and effervescent tablets and lozenges as well as topical lotions, ointments and patches. The state also plans to create a new, shorter training program for physicians interested in authorizing medical marijuana for patients. New York has one of the nation’s more conservative medical cannabis programs, and smokeable marijuana still isn’t allowed. The new regulations are expected to take effect next month.

Vermont State Troopers yesterday conducted two saturation patrols within the Towns of Lincoln and Bridport. The purpose of this patrol was to focus on reducing speed, distracted driving and seatbelt use. A total of 9 stops were initiated and 1 person was arrested for DUI.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding successful bear hunters that a regulation now requires them to submit a bear tooth so wildlife managers can collect important information on Vermont’s bear population. Teeth submitted by hunters are used to determine the ages of bears. Wildlife biologists use age and sex data to estimate the number of bears in Vermont and to determine the status and health of the bear population. Envelopes for submitting teeth are available at all big game check stations.